Featured Post
What Was I Thinking!!
I have been at this a long time! 20 years in fact. I have had a lot of fun over the years and had my share of recognition when this medium ...
Showing posts with label tutorial. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tutorial. Show all posts
Spiral Tie Dye Long Sleeve T Shirt Tutorial
and remember!!!
Be peaceful and be kind! It's Important!
All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!
Wreath Making - Poor Planning, Over Spending Tutorial
You know you are going to make something, you have the idea in your head, but it is just an idea. You haven't fully prepared, but you venture out anyway to buy your supplies.....
Ominus music - *dum dum dum.......*
This is the unprepared hell I live in. Walk with me, if you dare :)
I am making a wreath for my Mom for Christmas. Don't worry, she doesn't use the interwebs. It is still a magical place that only a special few are invited to see, so we don't have to worry about her seeing the pictures. I want to make her one of those big poofy wreaths. I like them, and she does too. Anything that is over the top is perfect for my Mom.
I do a bit of poking around to find out what supplies I may need as opposed to doing my research while shopping. This gives me a ruff idea of what will be purchased as opposed to what I have, and out the door I go. First stop Dollar Tree to see if they have any wreaths. A lot of times they have some really fun stuff, but today, I think everyone else is in the same mood. Off I go to the the hell that is Wal-Mart during the holidays.
Of course I grab the trolley with the wonkey wheel and instead of gliding thru the throngs of shoppers (where are they all coming from on a weekday afternoon!) I have to with great effort, push my cart. Picture me in the same body posture as pushing a lawn mower, that was me, thru the isles of this retail purgatory.
In my head I have a list of things that I need beyond the crafty items - toothpaste, socks, bread..ya know those things that you always need. I tell myself, "Get those on the way out", I really need to focus on the task at hand. Off to the craft department. There is a specific list rolling thru my head, fanciful pipe cleaners, festive material, beautiful wired ribbon and a wired wreath. It is all coming together and looking beautiful in my noggin studio. I must find these things!
The wreaths are picked over, the material choices are nil, ribbon is freaking expensive, and no fanciful pipe cleaners. Panic kicks up a notch, not quite at DefCon 1 but I could get there quick. Time to make sacrifices and work on different choices.
When it doesnt' go the way you want it to, it gets frustrating. Instead of making it a game, and searching for fun and cool alternatives, I felt rushed and made hasty decisions. Did I say, I am giving this to her tomorrow? Now, I make panic'd choices, and fill my cart with too many items, and then we hit DefCon1. I can't filter thru all of these things to make a proper choice. I am overwhelmed! So I wander. I wander around looking at snow tires, and fishing poles to clear my mind, then go back and start to glean what I need. I am really excited that I did venture into the Christmas department during one of these mind clearings. I found ribbon for a fraction of a cost!
So $71 later here is what I got::
1. There is the reciept - $71?? What the heck was I thinking???
2. Batteries - while clearing my head, I remembered I needed batteries
3. Snickers peanut butter and Dr. Pepper - for medicinal purposes only
4. Pattern for a purse.......It must have just fallen into my cart, I have no memory of looking at patterns
5. Material for the wreath, and my dog a coat, and some awesome shear rainbow material that will make something awesome!!!!
6. Wreath. Couldn't find a wire one, but the vine one will work just fine.
7. Ribbon from the garden center that was so flippin cheap!
8. Sheer netting and glittery gold ribbon. Perfect compliment to the material
9. I couldn't decide on one pattern, and besides it is for my Mom, she likes it wild!
10. Stencils......um...I NEED THEM!
11. Little ornaments for the wreath
12. Pipe cleaners. I had to buy 2 packs, because I needed more than 10 gold pipe cleaners........
Time for fun!
Tie pipe cleaners on the inside ring of the wreath - all points of the compass, 8 pipe cleaners. Then do the same on the outside edge of the wreath (just a bit offset from the inside of the wreath) - 8 pipe cleaners.
Wreath = $4.47
Pipe Cleaners = $2.47 per pk - I used 16 of them - total .64
I bought 2 yards of fabric at $2.97 a yard, only needed 1. Fold the fabric into thirds long ways and cut it into strips. This is roughly the same width as the red mesh spool of ribbon. at $3.77 a spool. Once that is done, sew the ends together. This will give you a bit over 6 yards of fabric.
Take the end of the fabric and secure it to one of the inside pipe cleaners, and work your way around the inside of the wreath. Twist the pipe cleaners around the fabric, keeping it tight and close to the wreath. There is plenty of pipe cleaner sticking up, you will use a lot of it. Use 8 - 10 " of fabric between each pipe cleaner, it will make the fabric bulk up.
When you have gone around the inside of the wreath and are back where you started, continue on, now on the outside of the wreath.
Now it is a matter of repeating your steps. I put the red and gold mesh together, and worked it around the wreath, just like the fabric. This is why you need the extra length in the pipe cleaner. The red and gold mesh worked out to about .08 a yard - approx 6 yards each, we will round it up to .50 for easier math. so $1.
Don't stop yet! There is still more ribbon. Work it around the same way, but this time, skip around the pipe cleaners. Let the ribbon wander around the design. I bought 2 of the red/gold ribbon at $2.47, didn't use the whole roll, it worked out to aprox .16 per foot for a total of $1.44. The same for the White ribbon with the design - $1.44. Finish it off with some ornaments, 2 packs at $2 each and you are done! Fluff your ribbons and material to really bulk out the design. Now you need to tuck the pipe cleaners thru the back of the wreath and twist them down tight. You can clip any excess or just tuck it back thru.
Moral of the story - I spent $71, $20.51 more than I should have. If I would have went into it only buying exactly what I needed I would have spent, $50.49 - to make a $16 wreath. If I would have done a better job of planning and scouting deals, I could have trimmed off maybe $5 or more. Upside, I have an older wreath, that I can dismantle, and I still have enuff things (minus the ornaments) to re make this wreath. So, I almost got a two for one deal!
Did I have fun and enjoy myself - you betcha!!!!
Ominus music - *dum dum dum.......*
This is the unprepared hell I live in. Walk with me, if you dare :)
I am making a wreath for my Mom for Christmas. Don't worry, she doesn't use the interwebs. It is still a magical place that only a special few are invited to see, so we don't have to worry about her seeing the pictures. I want to make her one of those big poofy wreaths. I like them, and she does too. Anything that is over the top is perfect for my Mom.
I do a bit of poking around to find out what supplies I may need as opposed to doing my research while shopping. This gives me a ruff idea of what will be purchased as opposed to what I have, and out the door I go. First stop Dollar Tree to see if they have any wreaths. A lot of times they have some really fun stuff, but today, I think everyone else is in the same mood. Off I go to the the hell that is Wal-Mart during the holidays.
Of course I grab the trolley with the wonkey wheel and instead of gliding thru the throngs of shoppers (where are they all coming from on a weekday afternoon!) I have to with great effort, push my cart. Picture me in the same body posture as pushing a lawn mower, that was me, thru the isles of this retail purgatory.
In my head I have a list of things that I need beyond the crafty items - toothpaste, socks, bread..ya know those things that you always need. I tell myself, "Get those on the way out", I really need to focus on the task at hand. Off to the craft department. There is a specific list rolling thru my head, fanciful pipe cleaners, festive material, beautiful wired ribbon and a wired wreath. It is all coming together and looking beautiful in my noggin studio. I must find these things!
The wreaths are picked over, the material choices are nil, ribbon is freaking expensive, and no fanciful pipe cleaners. Panic kicks up a notch, not quite at DefCon 1 but I could get there quick. Time to make sacrifices and work on different choices.
When it doesnt' go the way you want it to, it gets frustrating. Instead of making it a game, and searching for fun and cool alternatives, I felt rushed and made hasty decisions. Did I say, I am giving this to her tomorrow? Now, I make panic'd choices, and fill my cart with too many items, and then we hit DefCon1. I can't filter thru all of these things to make a proper choice. I am overwhelmed! So I wander. I wander around looking at snow tires, and fishing poles to clear my mind, then go back and start to glean what I need. I am really excited that I did venture into the Christmas department during one of these mind clearings. I found ribbon for a fraction of a cost!
So $71 later here is what I got::
2. Batteries - while clearing my head, I remembered I needed batteries
3. Snickers peanut butter and Dr. Pepper - for medicinal purposes only
4. Pattern for a purse.......It must have just fallen into my cart, I have no memory of looking at patterns
5. Material for the wreath, and my dog a coat, and some awesome shear rainbow material that will make something awesome!!!!
6. Wreath. Couldn't find a wire one, but the vine one will work just fine.
7. Ribbon from the garden center that was so flippin cheap!
8. Sheer netting and glittery gold ribbon. Perfect compliment to the material
9. I couldn't decide on one pattern, and besides it is for my Mom, she likes it wild!
10. Stencils......um...I NEED THEM!
11. Little ornaments for the wreath
12. Pipe cleaners. I had to buy 2 packs, because I needed more than 10 gold pipe cleaners........
Time for fun!
Tie pipe cleaners on the inside ring of the wreath - all points of the compass, 8 pipe cleaners. Then do the same on the outside edge of the wreath (just a bit offset from the inside of the wreath) - 8 pipe cleaners.
Wreath = $4.47
Pipe Cleaners = $2.47 per pk - I used 16 of them - total .64
I bought 2 yards of fabric at $2.97 a yard, only needed 1. Fold the fabric into thirds long ways and cut it into strips. This is roughly the same width as the red mesh spool of ribbon. at $3.77 a spool. Once that is done, sew the ends together. This will give you a bit over 6 yards of fabric.
Take the end of the fabric and secure it to one of the inside pipe cleaners, and work your way around the inside of the wreath. Twist the pipe cleaners around the fabric, keeping it tight and close to the wreath. There is plenty of pipe cleaner sticking up, you will use a lot of it. Use 8 - 10 " of fabric between each pipe cleaner, it will make the fabric bulk up.
When you have gone around the inside of the wreath and are back where you started, continue on, now on the outside of the wreath.
Moral of the story - I spent $71, $20.51 more than I should have. If I would have went into it only buying exactly what I needed I would have spent, $50.49 - to make a $16 wreath. If I would have done a better job of planning and scouting deals, I could have trimmed off maybe $5 or more. Upside, I have an older wreath, that I can dismantle, and I still have enuff things (minus the ornaments) to re make this wreath. So, I almost got a two for one deal!
Did I have fun and enjoy myself - you betcha!!!!
New Copper Pendants!
Found some time to make a couple pendants yesterday, thought I would share em here.
African bloodstone bead
This is a quartz - what kind I am not for sure. It is a top drilled pendant, so I just made a huge wrap at the top and added a swirl and seed beads for accent.
This one is a basket weave for lack of better words. I don't know what this style is called. This one is surprisingly easy, but time consuming. I thought I would try and break it down for you.
Create your loop or bale at the top of the wire, and then measure it around the cab. Lay the cab on your table, and measure the wire around the cab, slightly above where it is touching the surface. Make a wrap with the tail to secure it to the bale.
Turn the cab over. Make a loop at the end of the wire, and now measure the wire around the inside edge of the cab, and make a loop on the other end of the wire.
Use wire to connect the loops, to stabilize the base wire. (1) Wrap some wire around the base to stabilize the bottom of pendant (2) You will remove these as you work thru the piece
Start on one side (1) and begin your wrap. Wrap several times around the loop on the wire back then bring it over the top wire, and then back under the bottom wire - making a figure 8. You can do single wraps or make additional wraps on the top wire to space out the figure 8. EX. Two wraps on the top wire, down and under the bottom wire, two wraps, up and over the top wire, two wraps and so forth. Make several wraps to stabilize the one side, and use a second piece of wire and start on the other side. (2) Work your way down either side, alternating to keep the wires even and tight. If you want to add the decorative wire, (3) make a loop in a separate piece of wire. As you are working down the side of the pendant, position where you want your decorative piece to start, and when you wrap over the top wire, wrap over both pieces of wire. Then continue on with your figure 8. Leave the decorative wire til last.
Continue down both sides of the cab, until you get close to the bottom where you have anchored it. Clip the anchor wire off and continue with the figure 8 wrap til you meet at the bottom. Finish the wrap by wrapping it around the bottom wire a couple of times and giving it a good mash with your needle nosed pliers. Remove the anchor wire from the back of the pendant
Free form your your decorative wire, around the top. You can wire wrap the wire to give it extra texture, wire in crystals to the loops, the possibilities are endless.
I hope this gives you some insight on how to do this wrap. If this is clear as mud, leave me a comment, I'll wrap another one, and do step by step pictures.
Happy Wrapping!!!!
African bloodstone bead
This is a quartz - what kind I am not for sure. It is a top drilled pendant, so I just made a huge wrap at the top and added a swirl and seed beads for accent.
This one is a basket weave for lack of better words. I don't know what this style is called. This one is surprisingly easy, but time consuming. I thought I would try and break it down for you.
Create your loop or bale at the top of the wire, and then measure it around the cab. Lay the cab on your table, and measure the wire around the cab, slightly above where it is touching the surface. Make a wrap with the tail to secure it to the bale.
Turn the cab over. Make a loop at the end of the wire, and now measure the wire around the inside edge of the cab, and make a loop on the other end of the wire.
Use wire to connect the loops, to stabilize the base wire. (1) Wrap some wire around the base to stabilize the bottom of pendant (2) You will remove these as you work thru the piece
Start on one side (1) and begin your wrap. Wrap several times around the loop on the wire back then bring it over the top wire, and then back under the bottom wire - making a figure 8. You can do single wraps or make additional wraps on the top wire to space out the figure 8. EX. Two wraps on the top wire, down and under the bottom wire, two wraps, up and over the top wire, two wraps and so forth. Make several wraps to stabilize the one side, and use a second piece of wire and start on the other side. (2) Work your way down either side, alternating to keep the wires even and tight. If you want to add the decorative wire, (3) make a loop in a separate piece of wire. As you are working down the side of the pendant, position where you want your decorative piece to start, and when you wrap over the top wire, wrap over both pieces of wire. Then continue on with your figure 8. Leave the decorative wire til last.
Continue down both sides of the cab, until you get close to the bottom where you have anchored it. Clip the anchor wire off and continue with the figure 8 wrap til you meet at the bottom. Finish the wrap by wrapping it around the bottom wire a couple of times and giving it a good mash with your needle nosed pliers. Remove the anchor wire from the back of the pendant
Free form your your decorative wire, around the top. You can wire wrap the wire to give it extra texture, wire in crystals to the loops, the possibilities are endless.
I hope this gives you some insight on how to do this wrap. If this is clear as mud, leave me a comment, I'll wrap another one, and do step by step pictures.
Happy Wrapping!!!!
Beading Daily Earring Exchange - Tutorial
Beading Daily is doing an earring swap! The earring swap is to celebrate Denise Peck's new book, 101 Wire Earrings.
Here's what ya do -
Make a pair of earrings, mail them in, include a SASE, and they will send you a pair of earrings created by another artist! By participating you also give permission for photos of your earrings to be used by Interweave, as they choose, in publications, on their site or in their shows, EXCITING! - details -
As I was making earrings this morning, I thought I would create a little tutorial on how these came about. This is my first time using a Wig-Jig. I wanted to play around with it, so come along with me on this maiden voyage.
Here is what I used -
8" 18 ga sterling wire
4" 24 ga sterling wire
2 8mm bicone crystals
6 4mm swarovski bicone crystals
2 6mm faceted quartz roundels
2 4mm bali sterling spacers
6 sterling head pins
Cut two pieces of 18 ga wire, 4" long
Place the 10mm round pegs two spaces apart.
Place one end of the wire at the 9 o'clock position on the bottom peg on the wig-jig board. Hold the end in place with one hand and take the wire up and around the top peg in a counter clockwise direction. Bring the wire around til it is pointing to the right.
Slide on your beads - spacer, 8mm crystal, spacer
Bring the end of the wire (that is pointing to the right) completely around the bottom peg in a clockwise direction till it is pointing back to the right again.
Push the end of the wire that is pointing to the left up so it completes the circle around the top peg and push the end of the wire pointing to the right down and around to complete the circle around the bottom peg.
Remove the wire from the Wig Jig board. Use your chain nosed pliers to create a wire wrap, making one or two wraps with the end of the wire near the spacer beads. Repeat with the other end.
Give the loops a couple light tap tap's with your hammer on your anvil to strengthen the loops.
Make some charms to liven them up.
Put bicones on a head pin. Grip the wire with the tips of your round nosed pliers. Bend the head pin to a right angle at the top of the bead.
Rotate the pliers a quarter turn up, counter clockwise, and bring the wire around the top tine of the pliers.
Rotate the pliers a quarter turn clock wise, and take the wire around the bottom of the tine til it is pointing away from you. Snip the tail close to the bottom of your loop as to keep the edges flush.
Gently pry the end away from the base of the loop and attach it to the form you just created on the Wig-Jig.
Push the end closed and your charm is secure. Make two more charms for this form.
Cut a 2" piece of wire. On one end create a wire wrapped loop. Slide on the facted quartz.
Start your wire wrap by creating the inital bend around your pliers. Before committing the wire wrap, slide the wire form (oppisite end from the crystal charms) on the end of the wire, resting it in the bend.
Hold the bend of the wire and the form with the tips of your chain nosed pliers and finish the wrap working down toward the quartz bead.
Attach your earring wires to the other end of your wire wrapped loops and there you have it!
Wig-Jig wire formed earrings!!
10 bonus points to who can tell me what is 'not quite right' with these images.
Here's what ya do -
Make a pair of earrings, mail them in, include a SASE, and they will send you a pair of earrings created by another artist! By participating you also give permission for photos of your earrings to be used by Interweave, as they choose, in publications, on their site or in their shows, EXCITING! - details -
As I was making earrings this morning, I thought I would create a little tutorial on how these came about. This is my first time using a Wig-Jig. I wanted to play around with it, so come along with me on this maiden voyage.
Here is what I used -
8" 18 ga sterling wire
4" 24 ga sterling wire
2 8mm bicone crystals
6 4mm swarovski bicone crystals
2 6mm faceted quartz roundels
2 4mm bali sterling spacers
6 sterling head pins
Cut two pieces of 18 ga wire, 4" long
Place the 10mm round pegs two spaces apart.
Place one end of the wire at the 9 o'clock position on the bottom peg on the wig-jig board. Hold the end in place with one hand and take the wire up and around the top peg in a counter clockwise direction. Bring the wire around til it is pointing to the right.
Slide on your beads - spacer, 8mm crystal, spacer
Bring the end of the wire (that is pointing to the right) completely around the bottom peg in a clockwise direction till it is pointing back to the right again.
Push the end of the wire that is pointing to the left up so it completes the circle around the top peg and push the end of the wire pointing to the right down and around to complete the circle around the bottom peg.
Remove the wire from the Wig Jig board. Use your chain nosed pliers to create a wire wrap, making one or two wraps with the end of the wire near the spacer beads. Repeat with the other end.
Give the loops a couple light tap tap's with your hammer on your anvil to strengthen the loops.
Make some charms to liven them up.
Put bicones on a head pin. Grip the wire with the tips of your round nosed pliers. Bend the head pin to a right angle at the top of the bead.
Rotate the pliers a quarter turn up, counter clockwise, and bring the wire around the top tine of the pliers.
Rotate the pliers a quarter turn clock wise, and take the wire around the bottom of the tine til it is pointing away from you. Snip the tail close to the bottom of your loop as to keep the edges flush.
Gently pry the end away from the base of the loop and attach it to the form you just created on the Wig-Jig.
Push the end closed and your charm is secure. Make two more charms for this form.
Cut a 2" piece of wire. On one end create a wire wrapped loop. Slide on the facted quartz.
Start your wire wrap by creating the inital bend around your pliers. Before committing the wire wrap, slide the wire form (oppisite end from the crystal charms) on the end of the wire, resting it in the bend.
Hold the bend of the wire and the form with the tips of your chain nosed pliers and finish the wrap working down toward the quartz bead.
Attach your earring wires to the other end of your wire wrapped loops and there you have it!
Wig-Jig wire formed earrings!!
10 bonus points to who can tell me what is 'not quite right' with these images.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)